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Zuma to give South Africa address Zuma to give South Africa address
(about 2 hours later)
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma is preparing to give his first state of the nation address since being sworn in nearly one month ago.South Africa's President Jacob Zuma is preparing to give his first state of the nation address since being sworn in nearly one month ago.
It comes a week after South Africa officially announced it was facing its worst recession in 17 years.It comes a week after South Africa officially announced it was facing its worst recession in 17 years.
The speech is a chance for Mr Zuma to set out his vision for the new African National Congress (ANC) government.The speech is a chance for Mr Zuma to set out his vision for the new African National Congress (ANC) government.
He is expected to reflect key priorities for the party, including jobs, health, crime and education.He is expected to reflect key priorities for the party, including jobs, health, crime and education.
The BBC's Karen Allen in Cape Town says the announcement of the recession could not have come at a worse time for Mr Zuma. The BBC's Karen Allen in Cape Town says the recession could not have come at a worse time for Mr Zuma.
Trade unions, which were instrumental in securing the re-election of the ANC, have high expectations that Mr Zuma will address their wage demands in his speech.Trade unions, which were instrumental in securing the re-election of the ANC, have high expectations that Mr Zuma will address their wage demands in his speech.
I would like to know what the government is going to do to steady the ship DA opposition leader Helen Zille Jacob Zuma's challenges
They also expect him to offer support to key areas of the public sector including healthcare and education, as laid out in the ANC manifesto.They also expect him to offer support to key areas of the public sector including healthcare and education, as laid out in the ANC manifesto.
But analysts say Mr Zuma will also need to ensure he does not alienate investors ahead of the football World Cup being hosted by South Africa in 2010. Analysts say Mr Zuma will also need to ensure he does not alienate investors ahead of the football World Cup being hosted by South Africa in 2010.
Given the bleak economic climate, the president may have little room for manoeuvre, says our correspondent.Given the bleak economic climate, the president may have little room for manoeuvre, says our correspondent.
Many are hoping that the investment in jobs, construction and infrastructure that comes with staging such a sporting event will help to cushion the blow of the downturn.
Delivery has been the weak point with past ANC governments, says our correspondent, generating voter frustration at how long it has taken to redistribute wealth in the post-apartheid era.
Helen Zille, leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which dramatically seized Western Cape province from the ANC in April's general election, accuses the government of corruption and cronyism.
Ahead of Mr Zuma's speech, she said: "I would like to know what the government is going to do to steady the ship; to ensure that we use this recession as an opportunity to stabilise; to get the basics of government right; to clear out corruption; to drive infrastructure-led economic growth."